‘It is an unbelievable story of betrayal. It is a sad story and a tragic story,’ Mr Silverman’s brother Andrew said after news of his sister-in-law’s shock pregnancy emerged.

Friends of the couple contradicted reports that Silverman’s marriage had been on the rocks for a while.

One told the New York Post, they ‘weren’t estranged. The suggestion that she was an estranged wife who fell into another man’s arms is not the case.’

It is claimed Mr Silverman, a property mogul, only recently upgraded his wife’s engagement ring with a 10-karat diamond.

Legal experts warned Cowell the nature of Mr Silverman’s divorce proceedings could see him called to the witness stand to reveal the nature of his and Mrs Silverman’s affair and his finances.

Simon Cowell has remained tight-lipped on his impending fatherhood (Picture: Splash)

While Mr Silverman’s family are seething at the baby news, Mrs Silverman’s family are rejoicing.

Mrs’s Silverman’s stepmother Rosy Davis said from her Florida home: ‘We are all excited for the baby. Any kid is a blessing.’

While Cowell has not commented on the baby news or the nature of his romance with Mrs Silverman, his lawyers in May savaged suggestions of an affair amid rumours they had been dating for a year.

After being approached about rumours, Cowell’s lawyers purportedly hissed at the New York Post: ‘Any implication or statement that my client is engaged in adultery and has allegedly broken up the marriage of Ms. Silverman is not only false but reckless.’

A few weeks before, Cowell went on a bizarre Twitter rant that left his followers baffled.

He tweeted: ‘What I have realised is there will be bumps in your life but the fun is fixing them. If it was always easy life would be boring.’

Meanwhile, Si’s unexpected fatherhood has divided his harem of women who are at loggerheads after they were left in the dark.

Cowell’s most recent ex, Carmen Electra said: ‘I’m so happy for him…I obviously think that his child will be very well taken care and very, very loved.’

Sinitta described the baby news as a ‘nightmare’ (Picture: Reuters)

‘I’m going to call him. I want to know if it’s a boy or a girl. It’s awesome, I’m super happy for him.’